Apparatus for fastening attachment loops to sanitary napkins



March 28, 1939. H. NEWMAN 2,152,493

APPARATUS FOR FASTENING ATTACHMENTLOOPS TO SANITARY NAPKINS Filed May 22, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 1 March 28,1939. M N 2,152,493

APPARATUS FOR FASTENING ATTACHMENT LOOPS TO SANITARY NAPKINS Filed May 22, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 2 MalfCh 28, 1939. H. NEWMAN APPARATUS FOR FASTENING ATTACHMENT LOOPS TO SANITARY NAPKINS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 22, 1936 Raw/$07 flengriflkw'man Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FASTENING ATTACHMENT LOOPS TO SANITARY NAPKINS Application May 22, 1936, Serial No. 81,240 In Great Britain August 15, 1935 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of articles such as sanitary napkins having flexible loop means secured to the articles for attachment or other similar purposes.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism for securing loops to the end tabs of sanitary napkins or to other articles embodying similar characteristics in so far as the loops and parts to which they are attached are concerned; to provide mechanism of simple design, low manufacturing and operating cost, yet durable and efiicient for the purpose indicated; and in general, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved means for fastening attachment loops to sanitary napkin tabs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings (3 sheets), wherein there is illustrated apparatus of the character indicated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan showing a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, but on an enlarged scale and with a sanitary napkin positioned on the apparatus;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary plan views corresponding to a portion of Fig. 4, but illustrating steps in the method of operation of the apparatus.

Figs. '7, 8, and 9, are sections respectively, on the lines 'l-'I, 8-8, and 9-9 of Figs. 4, 5, and 6; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective illustrating a sanitary napkin having attachment loops secured thereto by the apparatus herein disclosed.

Referring first to Fig. 10, the sanitary napkin after being operated on by the apparatus herein disclosed comprises an absorbent pad part designated I enclosed in a wrapper I I which is preferably of gauge or knitted material such as often called stockinet or other similar suitable pervious material. The wrapper II extends beyond both ends of the pad I0 so as to form tabs I2, I2 and loops designated I3, I3 are secured to the tabs I2, I2. The loops I3, I3 are designed to receive through them a body-encircling beltfor holding the sanitary napkin in place.

A convenient way of securing each loop to a tab is to first place a loop, i. e., an endless band or annulus, of suitable material, around the tab to which it is to be secured substantially as represented in Figs. 4 and '7. Then the portion of the loop which is disposed on one side or face of the tab is pulled through the tab approximately midway of its width and the pulled-through part of the loop drawn tight so as to tighten the remaining part of the loop around the tab to the condition substantially as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9. Thus the loop is secured to the tab by a form of noose or larkshead knot. It is, of course, desirable that the loops be secured to the tabs approximately on the longitudinal center line of the pads so that when the pads are supported through the agency of the loops, the pad will be supported withou any tendency to turn about a longitudinally extending axis.

The apparatus herein illustrated comprises a table portion I5 which constitutes in effect a work-bench. It includes a work support desig- 5 nated I6, the work support being merely a slightly raised platform on the table I5 to clearly indicate the proper position of a pad for operation thereon of the mechanism. A guide or stop II is provided adjacent the rear edge of the work support I6 to further facilitate proper positioning of a pad on the work support. The end tabs I2 of the napkin extend in flattened condition from the opposite ends of the pad and may, as indicated in the drawings, extend beyond the ends of the work support I6, or, if preferred, the work support may be lengthened to correspond with the over-all length of the napkin with its end tabs in extended position.

The loops are secured to both end tabs simultaneously and there are, in effect, two sets of mechanisms each operating on one end of the pad. The two sets of mechanisms are of substantially like construction, except that one may be termed right hand and the other left hand, and they are preferably both operated from a single operating device or source of power.

In the illustrated mechanism there are hooked needles I8, I8, carried by a member I9. The needles I8 may also be described as crochet needles having hook formations of a size to suit the requirements of the work to be performed.

The needle-carrying member I9 is provided with a pair of depending rods 20, 20 which are slidable through suitable bushings or guideways indicated at 2 I, 2 I, in a bracket or frame part 22. The frame part 22 is shown in this instance as being supported at its ends by the end members 23,

23 which also constitute the Su ports for the table I5. The end members rest on the floor and are of such length as to support the table I5 at a desirable working height.

The member I9 is also provided with a depending post member 24 which is slidable in a bushing element 25 carried by the frame part 22. The

a floor board 3| or some other form of bracket carried by the end members 23, 23, or, if preferred, directly on the floor.

It will be seen that when the foot pedal or treadle 29 is depressed, the needle-carrying member l9 will be moved upwardly. The needles l8, l8 will pass through openings indicated at 43, 43 in the work support and when in their uppermost position, will project materially beyond the top plane of the work support as indicated. Also, as

shown, the upper ends of the needles will penstrate the napkin tabs l2 so as to project upwardly beyond the top surfaces of said tabs. The napkin I is so positioned by the 'stop that the needles will penetrate the tabs approximately midway of the width of the napkin as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

The belts 26, 26 are, in this instance, in the form of stretchable helical wire springs. Upward movement of the needles l8, I8 is limited by engagement of a stop collar 32 carried by the post 24 with the lower end of the bushing 25 which is carried by the bracket element 22. The pedal 29 may, however, be depressed beyond the point required to raise the needles to their highest position, the spring-formed belts 26, 26 being adapted to yield sufiiciently to permit such additional depression of the pedal. The additional pedal movement referred to is utilized for moving the loops |3 into engagement with the needles so that upon downward movement of the needles they will engage the'loop portion on the top side of the tab and pull such portion downwardly through the tab.

-The loop brushing mechanism comprises bellcrank arm structures including arms such as 33 pivoted as indicated at 34 on brackets 35 extending upwardly from the back part 36 of the apparatus. The free ends of the arms 33 are provided with spaced brush elements 31 and 38. Short arms 39 of the bell-cranks are connected by rods or links 40 with the outer ends of rock levers 4| which are pivoted intermediate their ends on brackets such as 42. The brackets 42 may be mounted in any suitable manner, for example, by being secured to the floor board 3|. The other end of each rock lever 4| is provided with a laterally extending portion 44 which projects into the path of movement of the free end portion of the pedal 29. During the latter part of the pedal movement, 1. e., after the needles are moved to their highest point, the rock levers 4| areactuated to move the links 40 upwardly and thereby swing the loop brushing devices outwardly. In the outward movement of the brushing devices, the brushes 3'! and 38 engage the loop portions on the top side of the tabs and brush the same outwardly until they engage the upwardly projecting needle portions. The position of the loop after operative movement of the brushing devices is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 8.

The next operation is to lower the needles I 8 so as to thereby pull the engaged loop portions downwardly through the napkin tabs substantially as represented in Fig. 9. That is, of course, accomplished by permitting the pedal 29 to rise,

the weight of the needle-carrying member 9 and parts connected thereto being sufiicient to insure downward movement of the needles by gravity. If preferred, springs or other devices may of course be used for pulling the needle mechanism downwardly.

So that the brushes 31 and 38 will not move inwardly and disengage the loops from the needles when the needles start their downward movement, the brushing devices are temporarily locked in their outermost position after completion of a loop brushing operation. The outermost position mentioned, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, is preferably such that the brushes hold the loop portions in engagement with the needles. Upon downward movement of the needles, the brushes readily release the loop portions so as to permit the same to be pulled through the tabs. 7

The locking means referred to consists, in this instance of an upwardly tapered or cone-shaped collar element 45 on each of the rods 40, each of said collar elements being associated with stop pawls 46. The stop pawls 46 are pivoted to brackets such as indicated at 41 and they are provided with lateral rod-like extensions 48 which are designed to engage the bottom or base of the respective cone-shaped collars 45 to prevent downward movement of the rods 40. Springs such as indicated at 49 normally tend to move the pawls into operative relation to the respective collars 45. The pawls 46 also have extensions 50 which project into the path of movement of the needle-carrying member l9. Upon upward movement of the needle-carrying member l9 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the needle-carrying member rises from the pawl arms. 50 permitting the springs 49 to move the pawl part 48 into engagement with the adjacent link 40. In the upward movement of the links 40, the cone-shaped collars 45 are, of course, operative to cam the pawl part 48 out of the way, but as soon as the collars 45 pass the pawl parts 48, the latter will be restored by the springs 49 into engagement with; the rods 48. The pawl parts v48 will then underlie the bases of the respective collars 45 and will serve to prevent downward movement of the links and inward movement of the brushing devices.

When the needle-carrying member 9 approaches its lowermost position as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1, its opposite end portions will engage the pawl arms 50 and rock the pawls out of engagement with the collars 45 to thereby permit the links 40 to move downwardly with attendant restoration or return movement of the brushing devices. Springs such as indicated at may be positioned around portions of the links 48 between the frame part 22 and collars such as 52 carried by the links- In the upward movement of the links, the springs 5| will, of course, be compressed so as to provide power for effecting downward movement of the links and return movement of the brushing devices when the described locking means is disengaged.

In the operation of the mechanism, it is preferable that the pedal 29 be permitted to rise quickly so as to give the needle-carrying mechanism practically free downward movement. A cushion spring 53 is positioned around the post 24 between the needle-carrying member l9 and the top of the bushing 25, so that the falling movement of the needle-carrying mechanism will be more or less cushioned by the spring 53 which will also cause the needle mechanism to rebound upwardly. The upward rebounding movement is advantageous in that it effects disengagement of the. pulled through loop portion from the needle. It will be evident from inspection of Fig. 9, that upward movement of the needle will throw the loop portion out of the path of the needle hook, so that the napkin with the loops attached thereto may quickly be removed from the work support.

It has also been foimd that there is an inherent tendency of the pulled through loop portion toswing inwardly from the needle hooks to thereby facilitate disengagement of the loops in the manner explained. The loops may conveniently, but not necessarily, be made of knitted tubular material. For example, a knitted tube of around three-quarters of an inch in diameter may be out into lengths of about one inch. Such lengths may be stretched and rolled upon themselves so as to form knitted, endless, cord-like bands of the required size.

It will be seen that the described mechanism is operative to secure loops to the napkin tab ends accurately in predetermined position. It will also be apparent that the mechanism will apply the loops with substantially uniform tautness, i. e., pulling the loops to the same degree of tightness on the tabs, so that a uniform product may be obtained. Nothing is left to the judgment of the operator in respect of the degree of pulling force or location of the point of attachment of the loops, since these matters are all regulated by the described mechanism.

The described structure is a simple arrangement and it will be apparent that it may be modified in many respects without departing from the principles of operation disclosed and without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a work support for positioning a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a loop disposed around said end tab, a reciprocating needle adapted to penetrate said end tab when on said support, means for brushing the portion of said loop on one side of the tab into position for engagement by said needle when moved in one direction, means for maintaining said brushing means in inoperative position during the movement of said needle in said one direction, and means for effecting restoration of said brushing means to initial position.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a work support for positioning a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a loop disposed around said end tab, a reciprocating needle adapted to penetrate said end tab when on said support, means for brushing the portion of said loop on one side of the tab into position for engagement by said needle when moved in one direction, means for locking said brushing means in inoperative position during the movement of said needle in said one direction and means whereby the needle mechanism is operative to effect disengagement of said locking means upon completion of the movement of said needle in said one direction.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a work support for positioning a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a loop disposed around said end tab, a member movable toward and from said, support, a needle carried by said member and adapted to penetrate said tab, means for reciprocating said member to cause said needle to penetrate said tab, said needle being adapted to engage the portion of said loop on one side of the tab and to pull said portion through the tab when the needle is moved in one direction, reciprocating means for brushing the portion of the loop on one side of the tab into engagement with said needle when the latter has initially penetrated said tab, means for locking said brushing means in inoperative position until said needle is retracted, and means carried by said member for disengaging said locking means to permit restoration of the brushing means when the needle has been retracted sufiiciently to prevent the brushing means from disengaging said loop portion from the needle upon return movement of the brushing means.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for positioning a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a loop disposed around said end tab, an opening in said work support in predetermined relation to the area of said tab, a needle moveable through said opening and through said tab, a needle-carrying member, means for mounting said needle-carrying member for reciprocating movement toward 7 and from said support, treadle means for effecting reciprocation of said needle-carrying member, means for brushing the portion of said loop which is disposed on one side of said tab transversely of the path of movement of said needle, means actuated by said treadle member after said needle is initially moved through said opening and through said tab for actuating said brushing means, and means for preventing rearward movement of said brushing means so as to prevent the latter from disengaging said loop portion from the needle.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for positioning a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a loop disposed around said end tab, an opening in said work support in predetermined relation to the area of said tab, a needle movable through said opening and through said tab, a needle-carrying member, means for mounting said needle-carrying member for reciprocating movement toward and from said support, treadle means for effecting reciprocation of said needle-carrying member, means for brushing the portion of said loop which is disposed on one side of said tab transversely of the path of movement of said needle, means actuated by said treadle member after said needle is initially moved through said opening and through said tab for actuating said brushing means, means for preventing rearward movement of said brushing means so as to prevent the latter from disengaging said loop portion from the needle, and means for effecting release of said loop portion from said needle upon completion of the operative movement of the needle.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a work engagement with the projecting needle portion so as to cause the hooked end portion of the needle, upon return movement, to pull said loop portion through the tab, thereby to cause another portion of the loop to embrace and gather together a portion of the tab and whereby the loop is secured to the tab.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a work table provided with means for positioning and supporting a sanitary napkin having an end tab and a preformed endless loop freely surrounding said end tab, a hooked needle, means for reciprocating said needle so as to pass the hooked end portion thereof through said tab when the needle is moved in one direction, a member for engaging a portion of said loop positioned on that side of the tab opposite to the needle, and means for operating said member to move said portion of the loop into engagement with the projecting needle portion so as to cause the hooked end portion of the needle, upon return movement, to pull said loop portion through the tab, thereby to cause another portion of the loop to embrace and gather together a portion of the tab and whereby the loop is secured to the tab.

HERBERT NEWMAN. 

